A novel assessment of potentially toxic elements (PTEs) in water and sediment samples from the Indus River, Pakistan: An ecological risk assessment approach.

Pakistan, a country with limited water resources and highly vulnerable to the adverse effects of climate change, faces numerous challenges in managing its water supply. In this sense, this study assessed potentially toxic elements (PTEs) in the surface water and sediments of Pakistan's Indus River and its tributaries. Key water quality parameters such as pH, electrical conductivity (EC), and total dissolved solids (TDS) were determined, with respective average values of 7.1, 40 µS/cm, and 208 mg L-1. The concentrations of Cd, Cr, Cu, Ni, and Zn in surface water samples averaged 26 µg L-1, 0.9 µg L-1, 1.4 µg L-1, 22 µg L-1, and 2.1 µg L-1, respectively. The general sediment PTE profile was Ni > Cd > Zn > Cu > Cr. Certain PTE levels exceeded recommended thresholds, indicating the establishment of environmental pollution. Calculated geo-accumulation index values suggested moderate to heavy pollution levels in sediment, with PERI (404) values reinforcing the ecological risk posed by elevated PTE concentrations. Furthermore, significant correlations were observed between specific PTE pairs in both water and sediment samples. This study contributes with novel insights into the distribution and ecological implications of PTE contamination in the Indus River and its tributaries, paving the way for ecological risk management efforts.

Synthesis of calix (4) resorcinarene based amphiphilic macrocycle as an efficient nanocarrier for Amphotericin-B to enhance its oral bioavailability.

The supramolecular-based macrocyclic amphiphiles have fascinating attention and find extensive utilization in the pharmaceutical industry for efficient drug delivery. In this study, we designed and synthesized a new supramolecular amphiphilic macrocycle to serve as an efficient nanocarrier, achieved by treating 4-hydroxybenzaldehyde with 1-bromotetradecane. The derivatized product was subsequently treated with resorcinol to cyclize, resulting in the formation of a calix(4)-resorcinarene-based supramolecular amphiphilic macrocycle. The synthesized macrocycle and intermediate products were characterized using mass spectrometry, IR, and 1H NMR spectroscopic techniques. The amphotericin-B (Amph-B)-loaded and unloaded amphiphiles were screened for biocompatibility studies, vesicle formation, particle shape, size, surface charge, drug entrapment, in-vitro release profile, and stability through atomic force microscopy (AFM), Zetasizer, HPLC, and FT-IR. Amph-B -loaded macrocycle-based niosomal vesicles were investigated for in-vivo bioavailability in rabbits. The synthesized macrocycle exhibited no cytotoxicity against normal mouse fibroblast cells and was found to be hemocompatible and safe in mice following an acute toxicity study. The drug-loaded macrocycle-based vesicles appeared spherical, nano-sized, and homogeneous in size, with a notable negative surface charge. The vesicles remained stable after 30 days of storage. The results of Amph-B oral bioavailability and pharmacokinetics revealed that the newly tailored niosomal formulation enhanced drug solubility, protected drug degradation at gastric pH, facilitated sustained drug release at the specific target site, and delayed plasma drug clearance. Incorporating such advanced niosomal formulations in the field of drug delivery systems has the potential to revolutionize therapeutic outcomes and improve the quality of patient well-being.

Effect of citrus peeling (Citrus sinensis) on production performance, humoral immunity, nutrients, and energy utilization of broiler quails.

Citrus citrus peeling has a wide range of vitamins and trace minerals that have antioxidant and antimicrobial properties. It is hypothesized that the addition of citrus peeling to broiler quail diets can improve their production performance, humoral immunity, nutrients, and energy utilization. A trial was performed to study the impact of a methanolic extract of citrus peeling (Citrus sinensis) on production performance, humoral immunity, nutrients, and energy utilization of broiler quails. A healthy day-old 300 quails were randomly assigned with 5 replicates each replicate had 15 birds and used CRD for the trial. Different dietary supplementations were presented to different groups. The control group was not supplemented with any supplementation in their feed. While, the 3 other groups were supplemented by 0.5 mL/kg, 1 mL/kg, and 1.5 mL/kg of methanolic extract of dried Citrus sinensis peel (DCSP) in the basal diet (DCSP0.5, DCSP1, and DCSP1.5 groups, respectively). All the birds were allowed ad libitum feeding and water. The feed intake and FCR were significantly higher in the control group, followed by DCSP0.5, and then DCSP1. The significantly lowest feed intake and FCR were observed in the DCSP1.5 group. The weight gain and dressing % were significantly improved with the increasing level of methanolic extract of Citrus sinensis. The significantly highest weights of thymus, spleen, and bursa were recorded in the DCSP1.5 group, followed by the DCSP1. The antibody titers against infectious bursal disease, New Castle disease, and infectious bronchitis disease were significantly higher in the DCSP1.5, DCSP1, and DCSP0.5 groups than in the control group. It was concluded from the study that supplementation of quails with methanolic extract of citrus at a dose rate of 0.5 to 1.5 mL/kg of feed can improve feed intake, weight gain, FCR, dressing percentage, relative weight of lymphoid organs, and digestibility coefficient. Supplementation of Citrus sinensis has also concluded positive impacts on antibody titers against various viral diseases. The best improvement in the evaluated parameters was observed at a dose of extract of citrus was 1.5 mL/kg of feed.

Growth Optimization and Rearing of Mealworm (Tenebrio molitor L.) as a Sustainable Food Source.

As a sustainable food source for humans, mealworms (Tenebrio molitor) have a great deal of potential, due to the fact that they have a very favorable nutritional profile and a low environmental impact. For meal production, feed formulation and optimization are important. The mealworm Tenebrio molitor (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae) is the most consumed insect in the world. Mealworms were given a variety of diets, including wheat bran as constant diet supplemented with different levels of Ospor (Bacillus clausii) at 0.002 g, 0.004 g, 0.006 g, and 0.008 g; imutec (Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus) at 0.2 g. 0.4 g, 0.6 g, and 0.8 g; fungi (Calocybe indica) at 250 g, 500 g, and 750 g; yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) at 50 g, 100 g, and 150 g; and wheat bran (standard diet) were examined in complete randomized design (CRD). Different parameters, i.e., the larval, pupal, and adult weight, size, life span, and nutritional profile of mealworm were studied. When compared with other insect growth promoters, only wheat bran was discovered to be the most efficient. It generated the heaviest and longest larvae at 65.03 mg and 18.32 mm, respectively, as well as pupae weighing 107.55 mg and 19.94 mm, respectively, and adults weighing 87.52 mg and 20.26 mm, respectively. It was also determined that fungi (C. indica) and ospor (B. clausii) promoted faster larval development than yeast (S. cerevisiae) and imutec (L. rhamnosus). Larval mortality was also greater in the imutec (L. rhamnosus) and yeast (S. cerevisiae) diets than the others. No pupal mortality was recorded in all diets. Furthermore, the protein content of Tenebrio. molitor raised on a diet including fungi (C. indica) was the highest at (375 g), with a content of 68.31%, followed by a concentration of (250 g) with a content of 67.84%, and wheat bran (1 kg) (normal diet) with the lowest content at 58.91%. T. molitor larvae fed a diet supplemented with bacterial and fungal had lower fat and ash content than bran-fed T. molitor larvae (standard diet). Wheat bran (normal diet) had the highest fat at 16.11%, and ash at 7.71%. Hence, it is concluded that wheat bran alone or diet containing fungi (C. indica) and ospor (B. clausii) performed better in terms of growth, and these diets and protein content are recommended for the mass rearing of mealworms.

Effect of dietary inclusion of mealworm frass on growth, hematology, and serum biochemistry of sheep.

Frass is the main component of worm by-product which exhibit anti-microbial and anti-pathogenic properties. In the present study, we assessed the possibility of mealworm frass in sheep feeding regime and evaluated its effect on health and growth performance of sheep. A total of 09 experimental sheep (18-24 months of age) were grouped into three categories (T1, T3, and T3); each group comprised 3 animals including 2 males and 1 female. Group T1 was considered control, group T2 contains 75% commercial feed and 25 mealworm frass, and T3 was 50:50 of commercial feed and mealworm frass. The sheep in group T2 showed average weight gain of 2.9 kg; however, when the dietary inclusion increased up to 50% of mealworm frass or decreased up to 50% of concentrate feed, the average weight gain decreased up to 2.01 kg (group T3). Moreover, the sheep fed with 25% mealworm frass exhibited the lowest feed refusal percentage (6.33%) in total duration of the dietary period (6 weeks). The highest volume of RBC was found in blood collected from sheep fed within group T2 (10.22 1012/L ± 0.34), followed by sheep fed in group T3 (8.96 × 1012/L ± 0.99) (P < 0.05). Significantly (P < 0.05) highest MCV volume in fL (femtoliter) was found in group T2 (32.83 ± 0.44) followed by group T3 (31.23 ± 0.23). The animals in group T3 showed significantly (P < 0.05) highest MCHC volume (40.47 g/dL ± 0.62) followed by group T2 (38.77 ± 0.97). Similar trend was found in MPV (fL); significantly (P < 0.05) highest MPV volume was found in group T3 (12.63 ± 0.09) followed by group T2 (12.53 ± 0.33). Significantly (P < 0.05) high serum phosphorous (P) (6.00 ± 0.29), TG (60.03 ± 3.11), and TP (7.63 g/dL ± 0.23) levels were found in group T3, followed by animals in group T2. We can conclude that inclusion of mealworm frass to replace 25% commercial concentrate feed improved the growth rate and overall health status of the sheep. The present study laid a foundation for the utilization of the mealworm frass (waste product) in ruminant feeding.

Impact of varying housing systems on egg quality characteristics, fatty acid profile, and cholesterol content of Rhode Island Red × Fyoumi laying hens.

The present study was designed to study the effects of conventional and free range systems on egg quality attributes, fatty acid profile, and cholesterol contents of laying hen. Two hundred and forty R1 cross of Rhode Island Red (RIR) × Fyoumi (F) layers during the peak production were divided into two groups and reared in two different housing systems (free range vs. conventional systems). The statistical analysis of the results revealed that the housing system (modification of diet) significantly (p < 0.05) affected egg quality, fatty acid profile, and cholesterol contents. The highest (p < 0.05) whole egg and albumen weights were recorded for eggs produced in a conventional system and higher yolk weight and shell thickness were recorded in free range hens. Significantly (p < 0.05) lower concentration of saturated and higher concentration of mono- and polyunsaturated fatty acids were observed in eggs produced under a free range system. In addition, higher level of total omega-3 fatty acids and higher ratio of omega-6 to omega-3 fatty acids were observed in free range eggs as compared to those in the conventional system. From the results of the present study, we concluded that eggs produced from Rhode Island Red × Fyoumi laying hens in a free range system are qualitatively superior compared to those in the conventional system.

Spirulina inclusion levels in a broiler ration: evaluation of growth performance, gut integrity, and immunity.

Spirulina has been used as a food source from many years for human and animals because of its superior profile of nutrition. Spirulina (SPA) having antiviral activities can boost immune system, and better nutritional profile can increase growth performance by improving gut morphology. This study was conducted to investigate the impact of spirulina supplementation in ration on the humoral and cellular immune response, gut histomorphology, and economics of broiler production. A total of 120 day-old chicks were assigned to 4 dietary treatment; SPA0, SPA1, SPA2, and SPA3, each with 3 replicates having 10 birds in each replicate until 42 days of age. Treatment SPA0 was kept as control, and the birds were fed on basal ration, while the other treatments SPA1, SPA2, and SPA3 were supplemented with 1, 1.5, and 2 g spirulina/kg feed, respectively. Dietary supplementation of SPA3 significantly (P < 0.05) improved feed intake (8.95%), weight gain (12.5%), feed conversion ratio, and dressing percentage than that of control. Dietary treatment of SPA had comparatively low level of heterophil and higher level of lymphocytes than the control treatment. Spirulina supplementation had significant (P < 0.05) effect over antibody titer, against ND vaccine. The supplementation of SPA in diet at all levels has a significant effect on lengths of villi, and it increased number of goblet cells. The SPA3 showed significant increase in net and gross return of birds followed by SPA2, SPA1, and SPA0. It was concluded that spirulina improved growth performance, gut integrity, and immunity with better economics in broiler production.

Does the gradual replacement of spent silkworm (Bombyx mori) pupae affect the performance, blood metabolites and gut functions in White Leghorn laying hens?

Spent silkworm pupa is a valuable source of alternative protein in poultry production. Usually the spent silkworm pupae are wasted and may cause environmental pollution and off smell. This feeding experiment was performed to determine the gradual increase of silkworm substitution of soybean on the egg production performance, serum biochemistry and intestinal histological features of White Leghorns laying hens. For this purpose, a total of 250 White Leghorn laying hens were allocated to five experimental treatments. Rations were prepared in which soybean meal was replaced with 0, 25, 50, 75 and 100% substitution with silkworm meal. The outcomes of the study indicated that performance was not significantly (P < .05) different among the experimental groups. Aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotrasferase (ALT), uric acid and creatinin concentration did not significantly (P > .05) alter among the groups during the experimental period. Similarly, height and thickness of intestinal villi, surface of intestinal villi, number of goblet cells did not change between the control and experimental groups. It was concluded that substitution of silkworm meal with soybean meal had no hostile effect on production performance, intestinal histomorphology and blood biochemical functions of liver and kidney in White Leghorn hens.

Bioinformatics analysis and transcriptional regulation of TORC1 gene through transcription factors NRF1 and Smad3 in bovine preadipocytes.

Intramuscular fat is the an important factor that defines meat quality; however, enhancing its deposition without increasing the other three adipose depots (subcutaneous, visceral, and intermuscular fat) is a challenge for animal science and the meat industry. The TORC1 is a key regulator of adipogenesis and its regulation in bovine intramuscular preadipocytes has not been studied. The TORC1 is a member of the gene family that codes for a binding proteins which regulate transcription of cAMP which, is a key regulator of adipogenesis. In the present study, expression and sub-cellular localization of the TORC1 gene was analyzed in bovine preadipocytes. Bioinformatics tools were applied to characterize TORC1. To investigate the molecular mechanism of bovine TORC1 gene regulation, we cloned a 1008 bp of the 5'UTR regulatory region into a luciferase reporter vector. Different fragments were amplified using 5'UTR unidirectional deletion of the TORC1 promoter. Site directed mutation, dual luciferase reporter assay, RNAi interference and DNA-protein interaction (EMSA) were used to validate the regulatory roles of Smad3 and NRF1 in the regulation of TORC1 gene in bovine preadipocytes. The core promoter region of the TORC1 gene was identified at a location -410 to -155 bp upstream of transcription start site. Different vectors were constructed through serial deletion of the 5'UTR flanking region and in combination with site directed mutations and transcription interference through siRNA or shRNA, two transcription factors of NRF1 and Smad3 were found to be repressors in the promoter of the TORC1 gene. These findings were further confirmed through Electrophoretic Mobility Shift Assay (EMSA) within nuclear extracts of bovine adipocytes. The core promoter region of the TORC1 gene, spanning from -410 to -155 bp upstream of the transcription start site was specified in this study and this information will provide opportunity for the improvement of intramuscular fat in cattle.

Responses of morphological, physiological, and biochemical characteristics of maize (Zea mays L.) seedlings to atrazine stress.

Atrazine is a synthetic herbicide applied to control broadleaf weeds in different crops. In many parts of the world, atrazine is mainly applied for controlling weeds in maize fields. However, studies on the possible adverse effects of atrazine on maize crop can hardly be found in literature. The present study was therefore conducted to evaluate the effect of atrazine on different characteristics of maize seedlings including germination, growth, chlorophyll contents, soluble sugars, proteins and proline levels, ions accumulation, cell viability, and cell injury. In addition, the effects of atrazine on reactive oxygen species (ROS) accumulation and antioxidant enzymes activities in maize seedlings were estimated. It was found that at high concentration, atrazine slightly but significantly inhibited seed germination and growth of maize seedlings. Light-harvesting pigments (chlorophylls a and b, and total carotenoids) exhibited a higher sensitivity to atrazine and were negatively impacted by atrazine at doses above 50 ppm. Atrazine caused an increase in soluble sugars at all tested doses and decrease in soluble proteins at the highest tested dose. Exposure of maize seedlings to atrazine resulted in an increased cell injury and decreased cell viability. Atrazine did not affect the concentration of Na+, K+, and Ca2+ ions in maize seedlings to any greater extent; however, some minor changes were observed in some cases. An increase in the stress marker, proline, was found upon exposure to atrazine. The observed effects of atrazine in maize seedlings can be attributed to oxidative stress as revealed by an increase in H2O2 content and higher activities of peroxidase (POD), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and catalase (CAT) enzymes in atrazine-treated seedlings. The present investigation concludes that atrazine has the potential to adversely affect germination and growth of maize seedlings by inducing oxidative stress that causes increased cell injury and decreased cell viability as well as impairs the concentration of light-harvesting pigments.

A low latency and low power indirect topology for on-chip communication.

This paper presents the Hybrid Scalable-Minimized-Butterfly-Fat-Tree (H-SMBFT) topology for on-chip communication. Main aspects of this work are the description of the architectural design and the characteristics as well as a comparative analysis against two established indirect topologies namely Butterfly-Fat-Tree (BFT) and Scalable-Minimized-Butterfly-Fat-Tree (SMBFT). Simulation results demonstrate that the proposed topology outperforms its predecessors in terms of performance, area and power dissipation. Specifically, it improves the link interconnectivity between routing levels, such that the number of required links isreduced. This results into reduced router complexity and shortened routing paths between any pair of communicating nodes in the network. Moreover, simulation results under synthetic as well as real-world embedded applications workloads reveal that H-SMBFT can reduce the average latency by up-to35.63% and 17.36% compared to BFT and SMBFT, respectively. In addition, the power dissipation of the network can be reduced by up-to33.82% and 19.45%, while energy consumption can be improved byup-to32.91% and 16.83% compared to BFT and SMBFT, respectively.

Phytotoxic effects of two commonly used laundry detergents on germination, growth, and biochemical characteristics of maize (Zea mays L.) seedlings.

Laundry detergents, a mixture of different compounds, are used as washing agents in houses and cleaning agents in institutions and industries. As a result, industrial and domestic wastewater usually contains detergent contamination in variable amount. In many developing countries, untreated municipal and industrial wastewater is used for irrigation of crops. There is a possibility that laundry detergents and their ingredients present in irrigation water may affect plant growth as reported in several plant species. However, studies on the effects of laundry detergents on important cereal crops like maize can rarely be found in literature. Therefore, the present study was conducted to evaluate the effects of two commonly used commercial laundry detergents on germination, root-shoot length, fresh biomass, leaf number, leaf width, cell viability, cell injury, light-harvesting pigments, protein contents, and ion concentration in maize (Zea mays L.) seedlings. The obtained results revealed that both the detergents in the tested concentration range (1-500 mg L-1) did not significantly affect seed germination in maize. Similarly, shoot growth, leaf number, and leaf width were not significantly affected by detergents, while in the case of root, one detergent promoted root growth while the other one inhibited it. Both the detergents caused a slight increase in total soluble proteins, and this effect was significant at the highest tested one or two concentrations of detergents (100 and 500 mg L-1). Chlorophylls a and b and total carotenoids were very sensitive to detergent stress and significantly reduced at detergent concentration above 1 or 10 mg L-1. Both the detergents caused an increased cell leakage and reduced cell viability, and in most cases, this effect was statistically significant at detergent doses above 10 mg L-1. Exposure to detergents caused an increased accumulation of Na+, K+, and Ca2+ in maize seedlings. It can be concluded that detergents present in irrigation water at higher concentrations can adversely affect maize by impairing light-harvesting pigments and cell viability.

Gold nanoparticles coupled with graphene quantum dots in organized medium to quantify aminoglycoside anti-biotics in yellow fever vaccine after solid phase extraction using a selective imprinted polymer.

The determination of kanamycin sulfate was made indirectly by measuring its effect on photoluminescent amino functionalized graphene quantum dots (GQDs-amino) associated with gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) that were produced by the reduction of AuCl4 with NaBH4 in an aqueous dispersion of GQDs-amino (obtained by the pyrolysis of citric acid and glutathione) also containing the cationic surfactant CTAB. The AuNPs-GQDs-amino-CTAB system presents a suppressed photoluminescence that is amplified in the presence of kanamycin. Under optimized experimental conditions, the photoluminescence amplification of the nanomaterial system showed a linear response as a function of kanamycin concentration, covering three orders of magnitude (10-7 to 10-5 mol L-1). The use of solid phase extraction with a cartridge packed with aminoglycoside selective molecularly imprinted polymer ensured selectivity in determinations made on yellow-fever vaccine and veterinary pharmaceutical formulations. The analytical results were statistically similar to those obtained with an HPLC-based fluorescence method (after chemical derivatization). The proposed method is a simple, sensitive and selective approach that does not involve the use of toxic reagents employed for chemical derivatization of aminoglycoside antibiotics.

Kanamycin detection at graphene quantum dot-decorated gold nanoparticles in organized medium after solid-phase extraction using an aminoglycoside imprinted polymer.

This is a description of the indirect determination of kanamycin sulfate though the photoluminescence enhancement of an aqueous dispersion of amino-functionalized graphene quantum dots (amino-GQDs) coupled with gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) in a cationic surfactant-rich medium. Specifically, cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) was used as the cationic surfactant in our work. Previously, solid phase extraction with a cartridge packed with aminoglycoside-selective imprinted polymer ensured selectivity in kanamycin determination in yellow-fever vaccine and veterinary pharmaceutical samples. The proposed method has trace analysis capability and it is simple to perform as it does not involve the use of toxic reagents employed for chemical derivatization of aminoglycoside antibiotics.

Short Communication - Study on quality and efficacy of commercial tylosin and doxycycline products against local isolates of mycoplasma in broilers.

The present study was conducted to investigate the quality and efficacy of commercially available preparations of tylosin and doxycycline available in the local market at Peshawar for poultry. In vitro and in vivo, tests were conducted to check the quality of these antimicrobial drugs. In vitro quality control test was performed by High performance liquid chromatographic (HPLC) and micro dilution method. In vivo, efficacy of the test drugs was checked in broilers infected with Mycoplasma gallisepticum. Results of HPLC indicated that test drug-2 contains doxycycline hydrochloride within specified limits but contain high quantity of active ingredient (Tylosin tartrate 120%). Recovery percentage of test drugs (3, 4, 5) were below the pharmacopoeial limit, which contained low quantity of tylosin tartrate (85%, 87.5%, 85%) respectively however, percent recovery of doxycycline were in the appropriate limits. All the tested drugs were effective against Mycoplasma gallisepticum and showed minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) at 1.9µg/ml. The in vivo result indicated that all tested drugs decreased morbidity and mortality in infected chicks. The birds treated with test drugs (3 and 5) showed mortality of 9.5%, which was slightly higher than the other test groups. The current study suggested that there are incidences of substandard drugs in Pakistan and the drug regularity authorities should take strict actions against the manufacturing companies.

In vivo effects of Allium cepa L. on the selected gut microflora and intestinal histomorphology in broiler.

The experiment was conducted to evaluate the effect of onion (Allium cepa L.,) on the performance, gut microflora and intestinal histomorphology of broiler chicks. Three hundred and twenty day old broiler chicks (Ross) were randomly divided into four groups as A, B, C and D. Group A served as control without any supplementation, group B, C and D was supplemented with onion powder at the rate of 1.5, 2 and 2.5g/kg of feed respectively. Supplementation of onion significantly (P<0.05) increased weight gain and feed consumption. Supplementation of onion showed a significant (P<0.05) reduction in the population of E. coli and increased significantly Lactobacillus and Streptococcus species. Onion supplementation significantly (P<0.05) increased the morphometry of length, width, crypt depth and surface area of the villus in duodenum, jejunum and ileum of the small intestine. In conclusion, onion supplementation in broiler produced a positive effect on performance, gut microflora and intestinal histomorphology.

Growth performance and meat quality of rabbits under different feeding regimes.

This study evaluated the growth, carcass characteristics and meat quality of indigenous rabbits in northern Pakistan. Weaned rabbits (age 35 days, weight 323 g) of four distinct phenotypes (white, black and white, brown and black) were fed four experimental diets: alfalfa hay (AH), berseem fodder (BF), BF supplemented with low-level concentrate (50 %; LLC) and high-level concentrate (75 %; HLC). Each experimental diet was fed to 48 rabbits, 12 of each phenotype, in a randomized complete block design. The duration of the experiment was 55 days, including 1 week of adaptation. Rabbits fed the BF and AH diets had poor body weight gain (P < 0.05) compared to rabbits fed the LLC and HLC diets. Feed conversion efficiency was best in the LLC (4.47) and HLC (4.58) groups. Average carcass yield (743 g) and carcass dressing percentage (56.2) were higher (P < 0.05) in LLC. Growth rate was not improved significantly by feeding HLC. Fat deposition in animals was higher (P < 0.05) in the groups supplemented with concentrate. Cost per kilogram of rabbit meat was lowest (P < 0.05) for BF, followed by AH, LLC and HLC. Brown phenotypes had the best (P < 0.05) feed conversion efficiency, body weight gain, carcass yield and carcass dressing. It was concluded that local rabbits do not necessarily need high levels of concentrates but can be well fattened with low-level concentrates along with forages.

Performance traits and immune response of broiler chicks treated with zinc and ascorbic acid supplementation during cyclic heat stress.

This research was conducted to investigate the effect of supplementation of zinc (Zn) and ascorbic acid (AA) in heat-stressed broilers. A total of 160-day-old broiler chicks of approximately the same weight and appearance were divided into four treatment groups (control, T1, T2, and T3). Control group was fed a standard diet without any supplementation. T1 was supplemented with Zn at the rate of 60 mg/kg of feed, T2 was supplemented with 300 mg/kg of feed AA, and T3 was supplemented with combination of Zn and AA. From week 3 to 5, heat stress environment was provided at the rate of 12 h at 25 °C, 3 h at 25 to 34 °C, 6 h at 34 °C, and 3 h at 34 to 25 °C daily. The results revealed that feed intake, body weight and feed conversion ratio (FCR), and weight of thymus, spleen, and bursa of Fabricius improved significantly (P < 0.05) in T3 compared to the other treatments. Antibody titer against Newcastle disease (ND), infectious bursal disease (IBD), and infectious bronchitis (IB) increased significantly (P < 0.05) in T2 and T3 groups. However, total leucocytes count, lymphocytes, and monocytes increased (P < 0.05) in all treated groups compared to control. The results indicated that the supplementation of Zn or AA alone or in combination improved the performance and immune status of broilers reared under heat stress.

Spectrofluorimetric determination of tetrabenazine after photochemical derivatization in basic medium.

Photochemical derivatization is proposed for the spectrofluorimetric determination of tetrabenazine (TBZ). A central composite design was used to adjust experimental conditions (60 min of UV in a 0.45 mol L(-1) NaOH solution) enabling the improvement of the analyte signal-to-blank ratio of one order of magnitude, when compared to the TBZ original fluorescence. Limit of quantification was 4.7×10(-8) mol L(-1) but the detection power can be improved at least 10 times using solid phase extraction that also allows the separation of the analyte from matrix components, enabling the analysis of biologic fluids. Linear range covered at least three orders of magnitude. The combined uncertainty of the determination (at a 5×10(-6) mol L(-1)) was 16%. Recoveries of TBZ in the analyses of a pharmaceutical formulation were in agreement with the ones obtained using a HPLC method. Recovery in saliva (5×10(-7) mol L(-1) of TBZ) was 90±3% (n=3). The procedure minimizes the use of toxic chemical derivatization reagents and the generation of hazardous waste.

Feed supplementation prevents post-conception decline in milk progesterone concentrations associated with production stress in dairy buffaloes (Bubalus bubalis).

The onset of pregnancy may be associated with hormonal changes and decline in milk yield of buffaloes. To investigate this, forty lactating buffaloes from 1st to 23rd weeks post-conception were selected. The animals were assigned to three treatments: PRT, PRS, NPRT and three milk yielding groups HMY, 66 to 75 l/week, n = 12; MMY, 56 to 65 l/week, n = 16; LMY, 46 to 55 l/week, n = 12). Milk samples were collected on alternate weeks and analyzed with ultrasonic milk analyzer. EIA was used for milk progesterone concentrations. Group means were compared and correlation analysis was conducted. Progesterone concentrations increased in almost similar pattern with the advancing weeks post-conception. The high and low yielder showed greater progesterone concentrations in the supplemented than the animals on traditional ration (P < 0.001). Progesterone concentrations correlated positively with fat (%), negatively with milk yield, protein (%) and lactose (%). Decline in milk yield became drastic when progesterone concentrations rose above 6.44 ng/ml. The pregnant animals on traditional ration exhibited a sharper decline in milk yield with the increasing progesterone concentrations as compared to pregnant animals with supplemented ration. It is concluded that concentrates supplementation induced a raise in progesterone levels. Progesterone concentrations and milk yield showed an inverse relationship.